TikTok is a treasure trove of design inspiration, but not all advice is worth following. From impractical trends to misleading hacks, some tips can derail your home’s aesthetic. We’ve asked designers to share the worst design advice they’ve seen on TikTok, breaking down why these ideas fall flat and offering better alternatives. Avoid these pitfalls to create a stylish, functional space that stands the test of time.

At the same time, it’s important to remember that not every viral design hack is inherently bad—some can spark creativity if adapted correctly. The key is knowing how to separate helpful tips from harmful ones, so your home looks amazing without falling victim to short-lived fads. By being selective and thoughtful, you can still enjoy the fun side of TikTok trends while making smart design choices that truly enhance your space.

1. Color-Drenching Permanent Fixtures

Color-drenching—coating walls, moldings, and fixtures in bold hues—is trending, but applying it to permanent elements like hardware, tiles, or cabinetry can be risky. A modern black home with black fixtures looks chic when balanced with lighter elements, but an all-dark palette can feel dated or overwhelming, losing depth and light.

Why It Fails

• Overwhelming Aesthetic: Too much bold color lacks balance.
• Dated Look: Permanent fixtures are hard to update.
• Better Alternative: Use bold colors on walls, keep fixtures neutral.

2. Painting Rooms Dark and Moody

Painting a room in deep hues like charcoal, forest green, or navy adds drama and sophistication, inspired by the lush texture of a velvety alocasia plant. However, TikTok often oversimplifies this, ignoring lighting and room size. Dark colors can make small or poorly lit spaces feel cave-like without proper planning.

Why It Fails

• Lighting Issues: Dark hues absorb light, shrinking spaces.
• Imbalanced Design: Needs contrasting elements to pop.
• Better Alternative: Pair dark walls with light furniture or metallics.

3. When DIY Goes Too Far

DIY projects are celebrated on TikTok, but excessive back-to-back projects can create a chaotic, over-styled space. Adding too many elements, like multiple handmade decor pieces, kills the curated vibe. Structural changes like flooring, such as improper saw-cut concrete joints, require professional expertise to ensure longevity.

Why It Fails

• Chaotic Aesthetic: Over-styling feels cluttered.
• Amateur Errors: Structural DIYs risk costly mistakes.
• Better Alternative: Focus on one quality DIY, like a ghost philodendron in a handcrafted planter.

4. Taking Design Advice Without Context

TikTok tutorials, like sealing butcher block counters or caring for a philo verrucosum, often lack context for regional factors like humidity or lighting. A trendy idea from a sunlit loft may not suit a rainy bungalow. Your home’s architecture and environment must guide design choices.

Why It Fails

• Context-Free Tips: Ignores unique home conditions.
• Poor Outcomes: Trends may not suit your space.
• Better Alternative: Adapt advice to your home’s specific needs.

5. Adding a Mirror to Any Room

Mirrors are praised as a cure-all on TikTok, but randomly placing them without strategy adds clutter, not clarity. Proper placement, like across from an autumn window box or near a Scindapsus pictus exotica, enhances light and space. Without balance, mirrors disrupt the design flow.

Why It Fails

• Cluttered Look: Misplaced mirrors feel chaotic.
• Missed Potential: Fails to enhance light or space.
• Better Alternative: Use mirrors to reflect light or complement decor.

6. Implying Unrealistic Timelines for Well-Executed Designs

TikTok often showcases instant transformations, setting unrealistic expectations for quality design. Creating a space, like executing free cabin design plans or reworking a circuit and current kitchen, requires careful planning and time. Rushed projects lead to budget overruns and design regrets, as quality interiors evolve slowly.

Why It Fails

• Unrealistic Expectations: Quality design takes time.
• Costly Mistakes: Rushing leads to revisions.
• Better Alternative: Plan projects with realistic timelines and expert input.